As a deeper understanding of the molecular profile of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) emerges, innovative, targeted therapeutic approaches may also become viable in this context. Among the genetic alterations in TNBC, PIK3CA activating mutations are the second most common, with a prevalence of 10% to 15%, trailing TP53 mutations. HSP (HSP90) inhibitor Due to the well-documented predictive capacity of PIK3CA mutations for responses to agents targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, several ongoing clinical trials are investigating these drugs in individuals with advanced triple-negative breast cancer. Furthermore, the practical application of PIK3CA copy-number gains, a common molecular alteration in TNBC with an estimated presence of 6% to 20% of cases, remains undetermined, despite their classification as likely gain-of-function mutations in the OncoKB database. In this paper, two clinical cases are described involving patients with PIK3CA-amplified TNBC who received targeted therapies. Specifically, one patient received the mTOR inhibitor everolimus, and the other, the PI3K inhibitor alpelisib. Evidence of disease response was observed in both patients through 18F-FDG positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging. HSP (HSP90) inhibitor In light of this, we investigate the currently available data concerning the possible predictive value of PIK3CA amplification for response to targeted therapy, suggesting that this molecular change may be a valuable biomarker in this instance. Existing clinical trials evaluating agents targeting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in TNBC rarely incorporate patient selection based on tumor molecular characterization, and critically neglect PIK3CA copy-number status. We thus advocate for the introduction of PIK3CA amplification as a mandatory inclusion criterion for future clinical trials in this field.
The contact of food with different plastic packaging, films, and coatings is examined in this chapter, concerning the resulting presence of plastic constituents. Food contamination by various packaging materials and the influence of food and packaging types on the contamination level are comprehensively examined. The prevailing regulations for the use of plastic food packaging, together with a comprehensive analysis of the various contaminant phenomena, are addressed. Beyond this, a thorough overview of migration varieties and the influences on these migrations is presented. Separately, each migration component associated with the packaging polymers (monomers and oligomers) and additives is investigated, focusing on chemical structure, potential adverse effects on foodstuffs and health, factors influencing migration, and regulated permissible residue amounts.
Microplastics, persistent and omnipresent, are causing widespread global alarm. In order to mitigate the impact of nano/microplastics, especially on aquatic ecosystems, a collaborative scientific effort is diligently working to create improved, effective, sustainable, and cleaner measures. This chapter addresses the difficulties in nano/microplastic control and demonstrates the potential of advanced technologies such as density separation, continuous flow centrifugation, oil extraction protocols, and electrostatic separation in extracting and quantifying the very same substances. Although the research on this topic is still in its initial stages, the effectiveness of bio-based control methods, such as using mealworms and microbes for degrading microplastics in the environment, has been ascertained. Practical alternatives to microplastics, encompassing core-shell powders, mineral powders, and bio-based food packaging systems like edible films and coatings, are achievable alongside control measures, employing various nanotechnological approaches. Ultimately, the comparison of current and future-focused global regulatory structures results in the prioritization of key research areas. Manufacturers and consumers can rethink their production and consumption choices to further sustainable development objectives through this all-encompassing coverage.
The issue of plastic pollution inflicting damage on the environment is becoming more pronounced annually. The sluggish breakdown of plastic leads to its particles entering food sources, jeopardizing human well-being. This chapter assesses the potential risks and toxicological ramifications to human health from the presence of both nano- and microplastics. Along the food chain, the different locations where various toxicants are distributed are now known. Specific instances of the primary sources of micro/nanoplastics, and their subsequent effects on the human body, are also emphasized. Describing the entry and build-up of micro/nanoplastics, the internal accumulation mechanisms within the organism are summarized. Reported toxic effects from studies involving numerous organisms are given special attention.
A noticeable surge in the quantity and dispersion of microplastics derived from food packaging materials has occurred within aquatic systems, terrestrial landscapes, and the atmosphere over the past few decades. The enduring nature of microplastics in the environment, their potential to release plastic monomers and potentially harmful additives/chemicals, and their capacity to act as vectors for other pollutants pose a significant environmental threat. When migrating monomers are present in food and consumed, they can gather in the body, and this buildup of monomers may result in the development of cancer. Focusing on commercial plastic food packaging, the chapter describes the release mechanisms by which microplastics leach from the packaging materials and contaminate contained food items. To avoid the introduction of microplastics into food products, the factors driving microplastic migration into food products, encompassing high temperatures, ultraviolet light, and bacterial action, were analyzed. In addition, the ample evidence showcasing the harmful nature of microplastic components, both toxic and carcinogenic, points to significant risks and negative impacts on human health. Moreover, future trends in microplastic transport are condensed to decrease the movement via heightened public awareness and optimized waste management.
Nano and microplastics (N/MPs) pose a global threat, jeopardizing aquatic environments, food chains, and ecosystems, ultimately impacting human health. This chapter delves into the most recent data on the presence of N/MPs in the most consumed wild and farmed edible species, investigates the occurrence of N/MPs in human populations, explores the possible impact of N/MPs on human health, and proposes future research directions for assessing N/MPs in wild and farmed edible species. The N/MP particles, found in human biological samples, necessitate the standardization of methods for gathering, characterizing, and analyzing N/MPs, to assess possible risks to human health from their consumption. Subsequently, the chapter incorporates essential information on the N/MP content of more than 60 edible species, like algae, sea cucumbers, mussels, squids, crayfish, crabs, clams, and fish.
Human activities, ranging from industrial processes to agricultural practices, medical procedures, pharmaceutical production, and daily personal care routines, contribute to the substantial release of plastics into the marine environment each year. These materials are reduced to microplastic (MP) and nanoplastic (NP), which are smaller particles. Therefore, these particles are capable of being transported and disseminated within coastal and aquatic regions, and they are ingested by the vast majority of marine organisms, including seafood, which results in contamination throughout the different components of aquatic ecosystems. Fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and echinoderms, common components of seafood, can ingest micro and nanoplastics, and subsequently these particles can be transferred to humans through dietary consumption. Subsequently, these contaminants can create a variety of noxious and toxic impacts on human health and the delicate balance of the marine ecosystem. Consequently, this chapter details the possible perils of marine micro/nanoplastics to seafood safety and human well-being.
Overuse and inadequate management of plastics and their derivatives—microplastics and nanoplastics—are creating a serious global safety concern. These contaminants can potentially permeate the environment, enter the food chain, and ultimately reach humans. Studies consistently reveal the rising presence of plastics (microplastics and nanoplastics) in various marine and terrestrial organisms, emphasizing the potential adverse impacts on plants and animals, and potentially on human health. The presence of MPs and NPs has become a popular subject of research within numerous food and beverage categories, including seafood (specifically finfish, crustaceans, bivalves, and cephalopods), fruits, vegetables, dairy products, alcoholic beverages (wine and beer), meat products, and table salt, in recent years. Extensive research has been conducted on the detection, identification, and quantification of MPs and NPs, employing various traditional techniques like visual and optical methods, scanning electron microscopy, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. However, these methods often exhibit significant limitations. In contrast to other strategies, spectroscopic approaches, specifically Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, and innovative techniques, such as hyperspectral imaging, are being used more frequently for their capacity to conduct rapid, non-destructive, and high-throughput analyses. HSP (HSP90) inhibitor Despite extensive research efforts, a pervasive need for inexpensive and highly effective analytical techniques still exists. Addressing plastic pollution necessitates the creation of uniform methods, the adoption of a broad-spectrum strategy, and an increase in public and policymaker engagement and understanding. In conclusion, this chapter predominantly emphasizes methodologies for the determination and estimation of MPs and NPs in a wide range of food samples, particularly focusing on the seafood category.